Port Elizabeth Prepares For Citrus Season

Liebherr mobile harbour cranes play a decisive role in the successful export of citrus fruits.

Two new Liebherr mobile harbour cranes type LHM 600 arrived at the Port Elizabeth Container Terminal (PECT). The new mobile harbour cranes will assist the PECT to prepare for the upcoming citrus fruit harvest using new Liebherr mobile harbour crane technology. The two LHM 600 were transported from Rostock, Germany to South Africa. After a 20-day journey, they were unloaded from the transport vessel “Happy Dragon”.

Transnet Port Terminal’s Acting Chief Executive, Michelle Phillips said: “Having lost an entire crane due to gale force winds really set us back. The arrival of these two modern cranes will ensure that our promise to the industry is realised.” She added that the cranes arrived at a critical time when the company's nationwide terminals were giving priority to the movement of much needed goods in the Eastern Cape, South Africa and abroad.

Modern and highly efficient, the two Liebherr mobile harbour cranes, type LHM 600, have multi use capability, can lift up to 104 tons and move up and down the quayside according to berth activity. They are designed for versatile and efficient cargo handling. “An operator simulator has been onsite for the past month with Liebherr providing training to our employees. The LiSIM training simulator was part of our purchase arrangement – and we are quite impressed with the improved skills our employees are demonstrating,” said Phillips. She added that both customers and employees had been looking forward to these two pieces of equipment, which arrived as semi assembled units.

The Port Elizabeth Terminal has been in operation since 1963. It's one of the largest exporters of manganese in the country. It is also an automotive hub for the Eastern Cape Region. Both Liebherr mobile harbour cranes are multi purpose machines. They’re also expected to benefit the automotive and the agricultural bulk sectors at the terminal. Due to their outstanding mobility they can move up and down the quayside according to berth activity, which allows them to handle New Panamax container and Capesize bulk vessels alike.